A'Pertua-Debi Hammack Creates A World At War
There are many gems in the world of self-published comic books, and Debi Hammack’s premiere comic series A’Pertua gleams brightly among the precious stones. Written, edited, and drawn by Debi, A’pertua tells of an idyllic fantasy planet invaded by a harsh, cold, and brutal world of science fiction. Debi agreed to share the world of A’pertua with Silver Bullet Comics.
Kevin Noel Olson: Debi, your comic book A'Pertua is a very intriguing read with evocative artwork. Perhaps you could give a summation of the story in the book.
Debi Hammack: Thanks Kevin. Without spoiling too much, A’pertua takes place on a planet far away which is full of mythical creatures. Unfortunately for these peaceful inhabitants, the spacefaring humans have found the planet and are in the midst of taking it over for their greedy little selves. The story centers around six of the planets inhabitants, all different creatures, including one human. The first issue is a "get to know you" issue and starts setting the stage for the main characters to eventually start the revolution against the invading, genocidal humans.
KNO: From reading the first book, it can be surmised that this project is part fantasy, and part science fiction. Is it equally part of each or more one than the other?
DH: It's really equally part of each. It does start off dealing more in the fantasy world, but as we get to see more of the human side of the story, we will deal more with the science fiction world. Think a swarm of flying fairies smashing into the windshield of a spaceship.
KNO: Could you give us a short history of your background as an artist?
DH: I've been drawing for as long as I can remember but until I graduated from college in 2000 with a B.S. in marine biology, it had always been just a hobby. With no jobs for marine animal behaviorists available (who'da thunk), I turned to comics and art. I took a couple of beginner courses at the Corcoran school, but really just taught myself through books, lots of practice and the help of two mentors, artist Shannon Gallant and sequential art instructor Steven Colle. I also took a bunch of free gigs for small startup indy comics as more learning experiences and then tried my hand at my own story with A’pertua.
And if anyone is interested, there's a wonderful little research paper on the sexual selection of the female mosquito fish I wrote. Though, the part with the alien abduction was edited out.
KNO: Do you have any favorite artists or writers as
personal inspirations?
DH: Art wise, George Pratt had a big influence on me. Just the raw emotions he can convey with his art astounded me. Then there's also Terry Moore for the simplicity in his work. His faces tell more with 3 lines than some can do with thousands of lines. Also his visual storytelling is just wonderful. Recently, Brian Vaughan and Pia Guerra of Y, The Last Man have been getting my attention. As for writers, gotta go with the geek favorite of Joss Whedon. That man can write. I could listen to his commentary on the Firefly DVDs for ages.
KNO: There seems to be recognizable analogies to our
own too-real wars and persecutions here on Earth. Are
there any real-life correlations, or is it just commentary on a perennial issue the human race faces over and over
again?
DH: Yes, to both. What's happening today is the same thing that has happened in the past, just with different players. We never really learn, so we just keep repeating wars, prejudices and injustices over and over and over. With A’pertua, I wanted to show how even once we achieve space travel, we still don't loose our basic human nature that has been cycling over and over as long as the human species has existed. We had it when we had stone wheels, we had it when we had steam engines and high-speed cars, and I think we'll still have it when we have interstellar travel.
KNO: There are two more books A'Pertua listed
for release at ComiXPress.com. How many issues do you foresee in this series, or do you intend it as an ongoing series?
DH: An ongoing series, I hope. Issue 2 should be out any week now, I'm starting drawing issue 3 right now, have 9 other issues planned out on paper and I have at least 3 more years of stories in my head too (it's kinda crowded in there). If there is enough interest in the series, I hope to make them for as long as people want to read them.
KNO: Would you be willing to make comparisons of
A'pertua other comic book stories, perhaps books you admire or influenced your work?
DH: Maybe CrossGen's Negation, loved that book, so sad to see it go. But mainly the influences for A’pertua came from other media, like TV and books. Shows like Farscape and Firefly for their sympathetic characters and complex storylines and then the pre-1960's sci-fi books and short stories for their ability to comment on our society and to make you think.
KNO: Do you think creator-published comics like
A'Pertua can find a significant place in the competitive marketplace of the near future?
DH: Only if readers realize we're out there and where to find us and are willing to take a chance on something new that's not a brand name. I've found it incredibly hard to get a creator-published book into comic shops, even on consignment. Without being in shops, you have to first get the reader to find that you even exist and then have them be willing to order a copy from the web or mail order. Sadly that seems to be a lot to overcome, especially with limited time and funds.
KNO: Do you have any future comic book projects on the horizon?
DH: There is Seething Red, a current-day dinosaur battle comic. I did some prelim pencil/ink work on it and the author, Darren Ellis, is trying to get it picked up. But besides that, it's just A’pertua for now.
KNO: What's it like working with a print service
like
(presumably) doing your own formatting work?
DH:
The only real formatting I have to do is make sure the files are the right dimensions and type.
KNO: Do you plan on starting a comic publishing
company yourself, with perhaps other creators?
DH: Right now, nope. The business side of the industry is much less interesting for me.
I just want to get my stories out to the readers in the least painful way possible.
KNO: I leave you an opportunity to say anything
further you would like.
DH: Just to thank you Kevin for this opportunity and maybe a shameless website plug: You can find ordering info for all issues, free previews of both issue 1 and 2, free short stories and more at the A’pertua: A World At War website.
And as Jay Sherman said in an episode of The Critic…"Buy my book. Buy my book. Buy my book…."
KNO: Thank you, Debi. A’pertua is a rewarding read, and shows yet again there’s life in the independent comic world. Those that do buy your book will likely be pleasantly surprised.
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